Why more Americans are working well past 75 instead of fully retiring

Representative image (Courtesy: AI generated)

More Americans are delaying retirement as lifespans and financial needs stretch further. Nearly 9% of people aged 75 and older were still working or job hunting last year, compared with 6% two decades ago. Among those between 65 and 74, the share has risen to 27%. Economists say many who continue working are highly educated professionals or self-employed, giving them more flexibility and a reason to stay engaged, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Financial and social benefits of delaying retirement

Working longer brings financial security by reducing the need to dip into savings and allowing Social Security benefits to grow. Each year of delay until age 70 raises monthly checks by up to 8%. But beyond money, many older workers say their jobs provide social interaction, purpose, and mental stimulation that improve quality of life. For some, the rhythm of work is hard to give up even as they age.

A psychiatrist finds a new chapter

Myrl Manley, a psychiatrist from New York, retired at 76 when rising rent costs and a cross-country move made it the right moment. Now 78 and living in Minnesota with his partner, he spends on cultural outings and lessons but worries about outliving his $1.3 million savings. To ease the pressure, he is seeking part-time virtual work, confident that his age will be an asset in his field rather than a barrier.

A photographer who keeps shooting

At 80, Ohio-based photographer Daniel Mainzer is scaling down but still working part-time. With $600,000 in savings and income from Social Security, dividends, and his photography, he manages about $75,000 a year in spending. He maintains a busy lifestyle, from tennis to publishing books about Akron’s tire industry, while continuing to photograph. For him, easing out of work rather than stopping entirely has been the key to fulfilment.

An engineer who refuses to stop

Fred Fahlen, now 86, works around 40 hours a week as an environmental engineer, though most of it is unpaid. Diagnosed with cancer in his 60s, he found renewed commitment to his work and family. With $1.7 million in savings and a frugal lifestyle, he spends about $70,000 a year, much of it directed toward helping his grandchildren. His philosophy is simple: if you love your work, there’s no reason to stop.

A business owner who sold and slowed down

Sharon Collier retired at 74 after selling her marketing business but remains active alongside her husband, Ron, who still consults. At 78, she fills her time with gardening, exercise, and University of Texas football games while spending about $158,000 annually. With $1.4 million in savings and strong family connections, she models her retirement after her parents, who worked late into life and stayed socially active.

Redefining what it means to retire

The stories of Manley, Mainzer, Fahlen, and Collier show how retirement in America is shifting. It is no longer a single milestone but a continuum shaped by health, finances, and personal fulfilment. For some, it means part-time work; for others, it means pursuing passions while staying financially cautious. What unites them is the idea that life after 75 can be purposeful, active, and surprisingly full.